Spermicidal and anti-Trichomonas vaginalis activity of Brazilian Sapindus saponaria
Damke, E.; Tsuzuki, J.K.; Chassot, F.; Cortez, D.óg.A.G.; Ferreira, I.C.P.; Mesquita, C.S.S.; da-Silva, V.ân.R.S.; Svidzinski, T.I.E.; Consolaro, M.ár.E.L.
Bmc Complementary and Alternative Medicine 13: 196
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 1472-6882 PMID: 23890053 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-196Document Number: 576416
Sapindus saponaria is used traditionally for curing ulcers, external wounds and inflammations. The spermicidal and anti-Trichomonas activity of S. saponaria and its effect on Lactobacillus acidophilus were evaluated. Water-ethanol (WE) and butanolic (BE) extracts, as well as a purified sample of saponins (SP) from S. saponaria were tested for spermicidal and anti-Trichomonas activity and for their effect on L. acidophilus. WE, BE and SP immobilized spermatozoa at a minimum effective concentration (MEC) of 2.5 (gram %) for extracts and 1.25 (gram %) for SP. The effective concentrations that caused 50% immobilization of spermatozoa (EC₅₀) were 0.5 (gram %) for WE and SP, and 0.1 (gram %) for BE. The compounds were effective against Trichomonas vaginalis (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration = 0.156 mg/mL for WE and BE, and 0.078 mg/mL for SP against a clinical strain (CS); and 0.312, 0.156 and 0.078 mg/mL for WE, BE and SP, respectively, against an ATCC strain). In all concentrations tested, the growth of L. acidophilus was not reduced. The in vitro study proved the spermicidal and anti-Trichomonas activity of S. saponaria. Complementary in vivo studies should be made for establish the use as a vaginal spermicide, particularly in Brazil and Latin America.